Humanism and algorithms

Published on by Jon

Some times it feels as if computer technology is taking over our lives. Computer technology is gradually changing most aspects of everyday life; it is in our cars and our houses and it is watching us on our streets and in our workplaces in ever increasing degrees. Internet-of-things evangelists are talking about refrigerators that do your grocery shopping and selling cloud-connected juice blenders. Alexa wants to keep your schedule, be your DJ and turn off your lights for the night. We are excitedly relinquishing human agency to the seductive bosom of technology, and this is rapidly changing what it means to be a human being.

New business models are being developed, taking advantage of information aggregation, big data and "artificial intelligence" to offer increasingly streamlined and personalized services. Companies acting as intermediaries for all different types of services are popping up. Where in the past you would rent a holiday house or an apartment directly from the owner, today this service is becoming subcontracted to so-called sharing economy companies and brokers. You may find yourself with a juice-maker that only accepts pressing your juice bag after it has verified its authenticity and after connecting the device in the cloud (the cloud, you know the thing controlled by the men in fancy suits with even fancier monetization models).

The advantages of all of the above are that you have to think less and make less efforts. The costs are that you gradually weaken your own agency (ability to act to produce a result) while letting algorithms and advanced business schemes set the conditions for your life. Where in the past you could sign contracts with persons, today you often find yourself in the situation of having to sign the contract with a corporation that leaves all the decisions up to computer algorithms. Lost are the possibilities to build long lasting personal relationships, negotiate for flexibility or ask for compassion and understanding.

Computer technology is both rigid and merciless when it makes its decisions, because it is not programmed to be humane, compassionate, flexible or friendly. When you contract with a corporation who lets a computer algorithm handle their negotiation and contracting, you are contracting with something that can not possibly care about you. We are on the way to having computers deciding when you have to work, what music you should listen to, when you may leave and come, what’s in your fridge, how you drive and, ultimately, how you can make your juice.

PerfectKLIK is a step in a different direction: enthusiastic about technology but not blind to the hype. We do not believe in becoming addicted to technology. We believe in human communication at scale. We want to take advantage of all of what computer technology has to offer, but without letting it interfere in our decisions or limit our spectrum of possibilities. On this basis, we want to build the most humane sharing economy platform on line. We believe that with critical thinking and power of decision comes freedom, and with freedom comes joy and happiness. Our motto is: worship your freedom!

The first application introduced on or platform is a flatsharing application that gives you access to a matchmaking algorithm with an unparalleled degree of detail, with more than 1×10²⁸ possible configurations, neatly presented to help you in taking an informed decision. It is then up to you to act based on the information provided: make contact, get acquainted, negotiate and sign a contract, and move in with your new best friend. We hope you will enjoy using the application as much as we have enjoyed designing it!